: ''VLC is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as DVD, Audio CD, VCD, and various streaming protocols.''

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[http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ VLC] is a media player by the [http://www.videolan.org/ VideoLAN team] designed to emphasize portability and compatibility. Historically, it was groundbreaking for Linux media software by being the first player to ship with libdvdcss, letting it play encrypted DVDs. This is now a feature that almost all players include, and is no longer an advantage.

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== Installation ==

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==Installation==

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[[pacman|Install]] {{Pkg|vlc}} from the [[official repositories]].

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To install, simply run

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Notable variants are:

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{{bc|# pacman -S vlc}}

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* {{AUR|vlc-git}} - Development branch.

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If you want to play audio CDs, you should also install {{ic|libcddb}}.

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If you want to play audio CDs, you should also install {{Pkg|libcddb}}.

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==Language==

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== Language ==

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It seems VLC does not offer an option to change language in its ''Preferences'' menu. But you can use the ''LANGUAGE='' prefix. For instance:

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It seems VLC does not offer an option to change language in its ''Preferences'' menu. But you can use the ''LANGUAGE='' prefix. For instance, modify the {{ic|/usr/share/applications/vlc.desktop}} line:

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{{bc|<nowiki>$ LANGUAGE=fr vlc %U</nowiki>}}

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Exec=/usr/bin/vlc %U

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will switch VLC interface to french.

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to:

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Exec=LANGUAGE=fr /usr/bin/vlc %U

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to switch VLC interface to French.

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==Skins==

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== Skins ==

VLC can be "skinned" for a different look and feel. You can obtain new skins for VLC from http://www.videolan.org/vlc/skins.php.

VLC can be "skinned" for a different look and feel. You can obtain new skins for VLC from http://www.videolan.org/vlc/skins.php.

Installation of skins is simple just download the skin you wish to use and copy it to:

Installation of skins is simple just download the skin you wish to use and copy it to:

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{{bc|~/.local/share/vlc/skins2}}

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~/.local/share/vlc/skins2

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Open up VLC, click tools->preferences. When the preferences window opens up you should be in the "Interface" tab

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Open up VLC, click ''Tools > Preferences''. When the preferences window opens up you should be in the "Interface" tab

Choose the "Use custom skin" radio button, and browse to the location of the downloaded skin.

Choose the "Use custom skin" radio button, and browse to the location of the downloaded skin.

Line 31:

Line 33:

Restart VLC for the change to take effect.

Restart VLC for the change to take effect.

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==Web Interface==

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Note: You need to install {{Pkg|libtar}} from the [[official repositories]] to use the skinnable interface module.

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Run VLC with the parameter "--extraintf=http" to use both the desktop and web interface.

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== Web interface ==

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# vlc --extraintf=http

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Or you can enable this feature in the UI by navigating to "View" > "Add Interface" > "Web Interface".

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Run VLC with the parameter {{ic|--extraintf&#61;http}} to use both the desktop and web interface. The {{ic|--http-host}} parameter specifies the address to, which is {{ic|localhost}} by default. To set a password, use {{ic|--http-password}}, otherwise VLC will not allow you to log in.

Either run the script from the command line or register the script with keyboard shortcuts through your desktop.

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=== Preventing multiple instances ===

The default settings for VLC is to open a new instance of the program for each file that is opened. This can be annoying if you are using VLC for something like playing your music collection. To remedy the problem you can do the following:

The default settings for VLC is to open a new instance of the program for each file that is opened. This can be annoying if you are using VLC for something like playing your music collection. To remedy the problem you can do the following:

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#Open VLC

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# Open VLC.

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#Go to Tools -> Preferences (Ctrl+P)

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# Go to ''Tools > Preferences'' ({{ic|Ctrl+P}}).

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#Go to the Interface tab and find the "Instances" section.

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# Go to the Interface tab and find the "Instances" section.

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#Tick "Allow only one instance"

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# Tick "Allow only one instance".

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#Optionally tick "Enqueue files when in one instance mode" - This will keep the current file playing and add any newly opened files to the current playlist.

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# Optionally tick "Enqueue files when in one instance mode". This will keep the current file playing and add any newly opened files to the current playlist.

When using PulseAudio as the audio output module, you might encounter audio/video sync problems. These problems can usually be [https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?pid=1101711#p1101711 fixed] by editing {{ic|/etc/pulse/default.pa}} or {{ic| ~/.pulse/default.pa}} to reflect the following changes. However, this can cause a new audio stuttering problem in some applications such as flash.

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{{bc|1=

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.ifexists module-udev-detect.so

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load-module module-udev-detect '''tsched=0'''

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.else

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}}

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=== Video broken or other issue after upgrade ===

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Now and then VLC will have some issues with configuration even in minor releases. Before making bug reports, remove or rename your configuration located at {{ic|~/.config/vlc}} and confirm whether the issue is still there.

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=== Segmentation fault ===

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When starting VLC you can get a segfault, a possible workaround to this is running the following:

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# /usr/lib/vlc/vlc-cache-gen -f usr/lib/vlc/plugins

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Then reinstall VLC.

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=== Missing icons in dropdown menus ===

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This can happen under XFCE, there will be no more icons in dropdown menus, like the or the PCI card icon.

Web interface

Run VLC with the parameter --extraintf=http to use both the desktop and web interface. The --http-host parameter specifies the address to, which is localhost by default. To set a password, use --http-password, otherwise VLC will not allow you to log in.

Control using hotkeys or cli

Either run the script from the command line or register the script with keyboard shortcuts through your desktop.

Preventing multiple instances

The default settings for VLC is to open a new instance of the program for each file that is opened. This can be annoying if you are using VLC for something like playing your music collection. To remedy the problem you can do the following:

Open VLC.

Go to Tools > Preferences (Ctrl+P).

Go to the Interface tab and find the "Instances" section.

Tick "Allow only one instance".

Optionally tick "Enqueue files when in one instance mode". This will keep the current file playing and add any newly opened files to the current playlist.

Troubleshooting

PulseAudio lag

When using PulseAudio as the audio output module, you might encounter audio/video sync problems. These problems can usually be fixed by editing /etc/pulse/default.pa or ~/.pulse/default.pa to reflect the following changes. However, this can cause a new audio stuttering problem in some applications such as flash.

Video broken or other issue after upgrade

Now and then VLC will have some issues with configuration even in minor releases. Before making bug reports, remove or rename your configuration located at ~/.config/vlc and confirm whether the issue is still there.

Segmentation fault

When starting VLC you can get a segfault, a possible workaround to this is running the following:

# /usr/lib/vlc/vlc-cache-gen -f usr/lib/vlc/plugins

Then reinstall VLC.

Missing icons in dropdown menus

This can happen under XFCE, there will be no more icons in dropdown menus, like the or the PCI card icon.